Old Forester Drops Its First Bottled In Bond Rye — But There’s A Catch

Old Forester is shaking things up with its latest 117 Series release—the brand’s first-ever Bottled-in-Bond Rye. If you’re not familiar, the 117 Series is Old Forester’s experimental line, similar to Woodford Reserve’s Master’s Collection, where they push the boundaries beyond their core lineup. We’ve seen them play with different barrel finishes in the past, but this time, they’re taking their already solid rye whiskey and giving it the Bottled-in-Bond treatment. That means it’s aged at least four years, bottled at 100 proof, and made in a single distillation season—basically, a mark of quality and consistency.

At $65 for a 375ml bottle, it’s a limited release that will primarily be available at the Old Forester distillery. While it’s exciting to see them experiment with rye, it’s hard not to wish this was a permanent addition to their lineup instead of a one-time drop. Old Forester’s standard rye is already a favorite among whiskey drinkers, and a full-size Bottled-in-Bond version could have been a game-changer. If you’re heading to Louisville, this one might be worth the trip—but fingers crossed they consider making it a staple down the road.